Methods for selecting, ordering, and purchasing glass products

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus and method for facilitating the selection, purchasing and ordering glass products, which is informative to guide a novice user in selecting a glass product, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more than one manufacturer, the present invention providing an apparatus with a processor which is controlled by software to facilitate a selection process which integrates the comparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, including particular properties of particular components of a glass product, the apparatus can work with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmed to display graphics associated with selections and potential selections for glass products. The system and method providing selection menus for display on a display device and an animation graphic associated with a selection presented to the user. The system, apparatus, and method integrates the glass product selection information which the user chooses, and preferably the invention makes selections for the user, based on the user&#39;s previous choices and specified target performances to present to the user potential glass products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/538,235, filed on Aug. 10, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,783,525.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/538,235 is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/823,501, filed onJun. 28, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,343. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/823,501 is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/456,381, filed on Jun. 6, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,548.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,381 claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/388,791, filed on Jun. 14,2002. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/538,235, U.S. Pat. No.7,587,343, U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,548, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/388,791 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system forselecting, ordering and purchasing glass products, in particular glassfabrication products used in the construction of doors, windows,skylights, storefront, curtainwall, and other residential and commercialglass applications.

2. History Of Related Art

Glass panels are used widely in the construction of buildings, and areprimarily used in the form of a door or window. The glass window or doorpanel may comprise a single layer of glass, or multiple layers of glass,laminated together or separated with an insulating material or gas therebetween. For example, insulating glass fabrications may have two panelsof glass separated by an insulator, such as air or argon gas, which issealed between the glass panels.

Glass products are utilized to satisfy a variety of aesthetic as well asfunctional requirements. For example, an architect designing astructure, such as a building or dwelling, typically begins the glassselection process by specifying certain colors for the glass which willcomprise the windows or doors. Architects and designers may selectcertain colors for glass in residential and commercial applications.Glass color is integrated by the designer or architect in conjunctionwith the other building materials, including their textures and colors.

The color of glass may affect other physical properties of the glass orbear a relationship to characteristics of the glass. For example,performance characteristics for glass, may include colors, transmission,reflection, transparency, absorption, thickness, weight, and otherphysical or observable properties. In the past it has beentime-consuming and difficult to determine the glass requirements to beincluded in a glass specification. For example, one traditional way toobtain information needed in writing a glass specification is tomanually sort through numerous catalogs, or reference sheets identifyingcharacteristics for glass. This method generally involves lookingthrough a manufacturer's catalog to ascertain whether there is aparticular glass that meets ones requirements for color and performance.Often an individual may look to more than one manufacturer's catalog andcontinue this process in search of a particular glass, or glassfabrication. The process is even more complex when more than a singleglass panel is involved, as many glass specifications written todaycomprise insulating glass or laminated glass panels. Many codes andregulations mandate minimum insulation requirements that must be met bythe specified glass products. The selection of glass products haslargely been through reference to a single company's product catalog,presenting for selection the glass products of that company.

Another traditional way to arrive at a glass product is to consult atrained product representative who would utilize a computer softwareprogram, which is essentially a database of glass information from whichcalculations may be made. This type of program does not provide aspecification, but rather, provides a basic result of a calculation. Onewould then take the numbers obtained from the calculation and interpretthem in order to finalize the glass selection process. From there, theglass specification would be developed. With this prior method, itappears that even after ascertaining the calculated values, there stillneeds to be prepared a glass specification, which requires theutilization of the information from the calculations obtained with theprogram. Once calculated, in the event that the glass performancecharacteristics specification do not satisfy the target performancerequirements, changes would require recalculating the numbers in orderto provide acceptable color and performance characteristics. Therecalculation can take place many times before a desirable specificationis obtained, and the recalculation generally requires that the userperform an additional calculation, in the same manner as the firstcalculation. This process is not only time consuming, but requires usersto start over each time a new calculation is to be performed. And eventhen, after determining that a particular glass product, when theperformance calculation is completed, would potentially meet theproperties desired, after arriving at a glass specification, often asample must be obtained to visually evaluate the glass. Since thecalculation may be time consuming, calculating, deriving a specificationand obtaining a sample may be done several times before a suitable glassselection is arrived at. This process can often take several days ormuch longer.

The software available for use in connection with the calculation ofnumeric values for certain properties of glass products generallyrequires the user to have detailed prior knowledge in order to select aglass for a starting point. From there, the type of glass which the userselects, either from the user's own prior knowledge or a catalog, couldbe tested to determine whether that selection would be appropriate forthe performance properties desired. A drawback of this type of processis that the user was essentially required to possess particularknowledge in order to select a starting point to make a glass selection.From there, calculations would be made and the user could test thecalculations arrived at with the program against the desired performanceproperties for the glass. If the performance properties were notacceptable, then the user would repeat the calculation from thebeginning, selecting another glass product to test.

One example of a prior software program used in connection with glassproducts is WINDOW 4.1, a program which compares a user's glass productinput with a database of glass performance characteristics for theselected glass product to determine the selected product performanceproperties. The database information for the program comprises measuredcharacteristics for a number of glass products which are recalled whenthe associated glass product is selected by the user.

In many instances selecting a glass product is even more complex, sincea glass fabrication may, as mentioned above, comprise a composite of oneor more glass panels which can be laminated together, include glasscoatings or other performance enhancing materials. Further adding to thearray of the glass structure may be films or layers between thecomposite, such as insulating materials including air, argon or othergases. All of these additional components affect the performancecharacteristics of the glass. In addition, often, it may not bedesirable for a single manufacturer of a glass panel to supply bothpanels or components used to comprise a glass product. This may be thecase, for example, where the glass product is an insulating or laminatedproduct. In many instances, it may be necessary to utilize products foran insulating or laminated glass product which are supplied by one ormore different manufacturers. This further adds to the complexity ofselecting glass products and arriving at a glass specification whichwill satisfy the performance characteristics desired for theapplication. Designers who work with glass products which are asignificant element of a structure or other design, a most commonexample being window panels of a building, must take into considerationthe performance properties of the glass, and if laminated, coated, ormulti-layered, the properties of any other materials, as well as theircumulative or combined effect on the glass.

A need exists for a way to facilitate glass selection so thatexperienced or novice users may arrive at a glass specification tofacilitate selecting a glass product, ordering a glass product, andpurchasing a glass product, without requiring the user to preselect aproduct, and which is informative to guide the user in selecting a glassproduct, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more thanone manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method forselecting, ordering and purchasing of glass products. The presentinvention provides an apparatus with a processor which is controlled bysoftware to facilitate a selection process which integrates thecomparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, includingparticular properties of particular components of a glass product. Theinvention provides a method, apparatus and system for the selection ofglass products which facilitates the presentation of potential glassproduct selections for both novice and experienced users who accessstored data from a data file, using a computer. The apparatus can workwith a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmedto display graphics associated with selections and potential selectionsfor glass products.

The invention facilitates the glass selection and specification processwhich architects, designers and specifiers undertake in arriving at aglass specification for a building project. The target performanceproperties for a glass product may be used to arrive at a specificationin conjunction with aesthetic properties (color). The inventionfacilitates obtaining performance characteristics for the glass productwhich satisfy the performance targets of the architect, designer orspecifier. The performance targets preferably are achieved inconjunction with the color choice, another property of the glassproducts which may be taken into consideration in arriving at a glassspecification. Spectral performance data for individual glass productsis stored in a data storage device and may be displayed for view toprovide information about a particular glass component or glass product.

An animation graphic preferably may be provided and associated with aselection presented to the user. The animation graphic facilitatesinstructing the user of the associated selection. Preferably, theanimation graphic is stored in a data file, which is retrieved anddisplayed to the user on a screen when the user input device encountersthe associated selection.

The selection, referred to as a glass performance property, may be aglass type, such as a glass fabrication or rating, or physical property,or combinations of these. In this manner, the data stored in the datastorage device may provide information concerning glass products andproperties of the products. The system, apparatus, and method integratesthe glass product selection information which the user chooses byactuating an input device, and preferably, makes selections for theuser, based on the user's previous choices to present to the userpotential glass products. The glass products may comprise a fabricationwhich includes glass panels from one or more manufacturers.

The potential glass products are ascertainable from a specification, orglass specification, which is arrived at through processing with thecomputer the selections input by the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method forselecting, purchasing and ordering glass products which may be used in avariety of commercial, residential or industrial applications.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method,system and apparatus for facilitating the development of aperformance-based architectural glass specification from which glassproducts can be ordered and purchased where the color and performancetargets may be selected in accordance with the designer's requirements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel methodwhich permits a user to change one or more previously made glassproperty selections without having to reinput other previously madeglass property selections which the user desires to be taken intoaccount.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a display ofavailable glass product choices when particular selections are made bythe user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an animationgraphic which is associated with a glass property or glass type fordisplay when the input device is moved to correspond with a glassproperty or type.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a text windowwhich appears on a display when the input device is moved to correspondwith a glass property or type.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a graphicwindow which is selectively movable on the display from one location toanother location to provide information about a glass product.

It is another object of the present invention to provide two or moregraphics windows which are selectively movable on the display from onelocation to another to provide information about two or more respectiveglass products for facilitating a comparison between selections.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method,apparatus and system for facilitating the selection, ordering andpurchasing of glass products, where the glass product may be constructedfrom the components of one or more manufacturers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a glassperformance characteristic for ascertaining a glass specification fromwhich an order for a glass product may be made.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a glassperformance characteristic for ascertaining a glass specification whichmay be used for purchasing a glass product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the method and system of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a printout of a screen display showing the fabrication menu;

FIG. 2 is a printout of a screen display showing an information window;

FIG. 3 is a printout of a screen display showing the outboard liteselection window and the glass type selections;

FIG. 4 is a printout of a screen display showing a product selectionwindow;

FIG. 5 is a printout of a screen display showing a product selectionwindow;

FIG. 6 is a printout of a screen display showing a product selectionwindow for an inboard lite glass;

FIG. 7 is a printout of a screen display showing the target performancewindow and the actual performance window;

FIG. 8 is a printout of a screen display showing an information graphicwindow; and

FIG. 9 is a printout of a glass specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus, system and method forselecting, ordering and purchasing glass products. The present inventionis described herein in connection with glass products which may comprisewindows, doors, doorlites, skylights, storefronts, curtainwalls or glasspanels for their construction. The apparatus of the present inventionprovides a processor, and a data storage device which can operate inconjunction with a user input device, and a viewing device, such as amonitor on which to view the processed information. The processor may beprovided in the form of a computer. A user input device, such as, forexample, a mouse or keyboard may be used to facilitate the user'sinteraction with the apparatus. Alternately, the user input device maycomprise a touch panel or touch screen monitor.

Software is preferably implemented to manage the processor to facilitatethe operations involved in the selection of the glass product from userinputs and data stored in the data storage device. Glass productinformation is preferably stored in the data storage device. The datastorage device may comprise a computer hard drive, disk or other storagemedia. The stored data may comprise glass type data. An example of glasstype data may include fabrication data, such as information aboutmonolithic glass, insulating glass, and laminated glass, as well asspectral data for glass components and glass products which are soughtto be ordered and purchased. The system may be operated directly on acomputer or through a communications link, such as the Internet, where aremote computer can be used to make selections and view data.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a screen display 10, illustratinga first selection menu or fabrication menu 11 for glass fabricationtypes, which include laminated glass, monolithic glass, and insulatingglass. Each fabrication type has different properties and may beemployed by a designer or architect for a particular purpose. In FIG. 1,the fabrication selection window 12 shows the user's selection, in thisexample, “insulating glass”. Referring to FIG. 2, information isdisplayed in an information window 13 when the user has selected a glassfabrication type, such as in this illustration where insulating glass isselected. The information window 13 displays information relating to thefabrication type selection. In this example, where insulating glass isselected, the farther guidance information, which appears in theinformation window 13, is presented for display to the user. Theguidance information 14, shown comprising text and a graphic map of thescreen display, is stored in the data storage device and displayed on athe screen of the display unit, such as for example a monitor, when theprocessor processes the user's input from the fabrication menu 11selection.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a second selection window oroutboard lite selection window 15 which presents further information tothe user for arriving at a glass specification for the insulating glassfabrication type selected from the fabrication menu 12. The outboardlite selection window 15 is displayed. Glass product performancecharacteristics are related to the physical properties of the glasswhich will ultimately be used in the manufacture of the desired glassproduct for which the user is seeking a specification. The outboard liteselection window 15 identifies glass types for selection. As illustratedin this example, laminated and monolithic glass types are identified andappear as potential selections in the outboard lite title bar 16. Aglass type selection menu is illustrated on the display screen 10appearing in FIG. 3 in the outboard lite title bar 16 with indiciaidentifying the glass types (laminated and monolithic), and which glasstype is selected (as shown by the arrow 17 pointing to monolithic).

In the screen display 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, monolithic glass hasbeen selected. Associated with the monolithic glass as a selection arefurther secondary glass type selections which are presented to the userand which appear in the outboard lite window 15. When the monolithicglass type is selected, as the selection indicia 17 indicates in FIG. 3,the secondary glass type menu 20, shown as a dropdown menu, providesfurther selections for the monolithic glass. For example, as shown,Low-E type (or low emissivity) glass is selected.

Once the monolithic glass type is selected, an instruction may bedisplayed on the display screen 10, in a window (presenting text orgraphics) or an audible message given, or both. The instruction isprovided to facilitate prompting of a further selection from the user,such as a selection for the secondary glass type, in this illustration,Low-E. One or more additional selections for further specifying theglass product are provided. In this example, secondary glass types forthe monolithic glass are provided to appear in the second or outboardlite selection window 15. Monolithic glass types may be furtherspecified by one or more additional properties. For example, themonolithic drop down menu 20 provides monolithic glass types includingLow E, Advanced Tint, Basic Tint, and Reflectives (only the selectedtype, here Low-E being shown). Further information from which additionalselections may be made to configure the glass specification is providedon the screen display 10. In this example, where the user has alreadyselected monolithic glass, the input device may be operated by the userto correspond with the monolithic glass types. For example, when Low Eis selected, as it is in FIG. 3, a listing 21 of outboard lite glass isdisplayed in the outboard lite selection window 15, providing additionalinformation in the form of selections of Low E type monolithic glass. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 3, two monolithic glass lites are listed22, 23 and appear in the outboard lite selection window 15.

A color selection menu 25 is provided. Preferably, the color selectionmenu 25 comprises a visual display of indicia corresponding to colorchoices for glass product or glass component. In the present example,the color selection menu 25 shown in FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality ofcolors, including, neutral, clear, gray, bronze, green, green-blue,blue, gold, silver. Other colors and variations may be included. Colordata is for the most part a property of the glass products or glasscomponents comprising the glass product, such as for example, theoutboard lite monolithic glass component of an insulating glassfabrication. The color data is stored in the data storage device andpreferably is associated with glass components and/or the glass productswhich may be comprised of one or more glass components and theperformance data for these glass products and components. The colorselection menu 25 provides a choice for the glass color. As shown inFIG. 3, green is the selected color. Preferably the graphic displays agreen color in the selected portion 30 of the color menu 25. Preferably,the color selection menu's window 25 is animated. As shown in FIG. 3,the animation comprises as enlargement of the selected portion orrectangular color bar 30, so that more of the green color is visible. Inaddition, further indicia is provided in a flag window 31 which providesinformation, such as for example, text, indicating the color selected.

The color selection menu 25 preferably comprises a color graphic whichprovides a plurality of colors, such as, for example, as shown in FIG.3, as a plurality of rectangular bars, which may be selected.Preferably, the color graphic may be animated or enhanced todifferentiate the selected color from other colors appearing in thecolor selection menu 25. In addition, color areas, such as rectangles,may be displayed for viewing on the screen display 10, and the area ofthe selected color may be made to appear more prominent when the userinput device is positioned to correspond with a color area. For example,the color area may be expanded to designate a particular colorselection, as shown in FIG. 3.

The color data for the monolithic glass is associated with glass typedata to provide a listing of the potential outside lite panels which auser may select as an outboard lite for an insulating glass fabrication(FIG. 3).

The selected information from the fabrication menu 11, the outboard litetitle bar menu 16, the glass type menu 20, and the color selection menu25 is associated with glass products or glass components for a glassproduct, and is presented to the user for further selection of glassproducts or glass components which are available for particularperformance selections. Preferably, a selection of glass componentproducts associated with the user's selections is presented on thescreen display 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, two choices are available,respectively identified in the outboard lite product window 15 as afirst glass item or glass component 22 and a second glass item or glasscomponent 23. Each glass item or glass component identified may havedifferent properties from another glass product.

Each glass component product identified in FIG. 3 has particularproperties. A user who selects, for example, monolithic, Low E, greencolor glass, as is illustrated in the selections appearing on the screendisplay 10 of FIG. 3, has one or more glass items or glass componentsfor the outboard lite panel presented for display. These glass items 22,23 are identified on the screen display 10 to provide furtherinformation about the glass available for selection as an outboard liteof the insulating glass fabrication.

Preferably, the display of product information data which is stored in adata file in the data storage device is provided in a product selectionwindow 33 (FIG. 4) which lists further glass properties. For example,the glass properties listed for a particular glass in the productselection window 33 preferably may include, nominal thickness, visiblelight transmittance, visible light reflectance, U-value (winter),shading coefficient, and other pertinent information.

The product selection window 33 provides a selection option for openingthe window 33 so that it remains on the screen display 10 for viewing tofacilitate comparisons between one or more items available forselection. A user may determine that what is presented in the productselection window 33 is acceptable. However, the present inventionprovides the user with the opportunity to explore further glasscomponents and compare them. The product selection window 33 can beopened, and the user may elect to have one or more product selectionwindows remain on the screen so the user can compare performanceproperties for each of the glass items identified in the productselection windows. In FIG. 5, the product selection window 33 shown inFIG. 4 has been selected to remain open. In the open product selectionwindow 33′ shown in FIG. 5, the second listed glass item 23 has beenselected. Another product selection window 34 also shown in FIG. 5 hasbeen selected to remain open to identify the first listed outboard liteglass component 22 and the identification of performance properties forthat item 22. The product selection windows 33, 34 illustrate thedifferences for the glass items or components 22, 23 by providingperformance information which a user may compare.

Further information may be available for a particular glass product orglass component. Preferably, as shown in the product selection window 33in FIG. 4, an indicating graphic 35 may be displayed to advise the userthat further information is available. The additional information aboutthe glass product or component is stored in the storage device, and maybe displayed when a user selects the indicating graphic to havedisplayed on the display screen 10 additional information.

The product display window 33 also has a selection graphic, so that aparticular glass item may then be selected by the user. Referring toFIG. 6, the second listed glass item 23 has been selected, and the listof glass outboard lites 21 is provided with selection indicia, shown,for example, comprising underlining.

The selection process is then continued in the similar manner for theinboard lite panel. The inboard lite selection window 40, shown in FIG.6, includes further glass types for selection, such as, for example,laminated and monolithic glass types in the inboard lite title bar 41. Aglass type selection menu 44 is illustrated on the display screen 10appearing in FIG. 5 in the inboard lite title bar 41 with indiciaidentifying the glass types (laminated and monolithic) and identifyingwhich glass type is selected (as shown by the arrow 39).

The selections for the inboard lite glass may be made in the mannerdescribed herein as described and illustrated for the selections of theoutboard lite. The user may select an inboard lite as a component forthe insulating glass fabrication. The user may select the glass type(e.g., monolithic, laminated or other glass type) from the glass typeselection menu 44 illustrated in the title bar 41. The color of theinboard lite glass may be selected through a color selection menu 43.The inboard lite may be selected from a listing 51 of potential inboardlite glass components 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 which are listed on the inboardlite selection window 40.

In FIG. 6, once an inboard lite item has been selected from the listing51, a product selection window 52 opens to identify the user's selectionof that glass component, here item 46, from the inboard lite glasscomponents shown as available choices in the inboard lite selectionwindow 40. The selection indicia, shown here for example comprising acheck mark, is designated by the user to make a selection of the glasscomponent or item 46, which is identified as “laminated ⅛″ clearAN—0.030″ clear Saflex pvb—⅛″ PPG Sungate® 500 on cle[ar]”. Onceselected, the glass component selection 46 is underlined, as shown inFIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an actual performance window60 and a target performance window 61. The actual performance window 60provides a visual display of the performance properties for a glassfabrication product, in this example, for an insulating glass productcomprised of an outboard lite panel and an inboard lite panel. Theperformance properties listed for the glass product in the actualperformance window 60 include nominal thickness, visible reflectance,visible transmittance, U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, andapproved glass fabricator.

The target performance window 61 identifies target performancecharacteristics for a glass product. The target performance window 61has a plurality of performance menus 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 associated withglass performance characteristics. The nominal thickness performancemenu 62 permits the input of a target thickness to be designated. Asshown in FIG. 7, the user has designated a target nominal thickness forthe desired glass product as ⅜″ (10 mm). The visible reflectance targetvalue is designated to be 30% in the visible reflectance performancewindow 63. The visible transmittance window 64 shows that the user hasdesignated 50% for that target performance characteristic. The U-valueperformance window 65, (gas fill property), is selected to be 0.50, andthe solar heat gain coefficient has been selected at 0.30, the valueshown in the solar heat gain coefficient selection window 66.Preferably, a dropdown menu may be provided for the user to select oneor more, or a range of target performance values. In addition, whereperformance characteristics may be measured by different methods, orwhere one value may be appropriate to know for different glass products.For example, the U-Value may be measured where the gas fill is air, orwhere the gas fill is argon or some other gas. The secondary selectionindicia, illustrated for example as an arrow 70, permits the user toselect an appropriate performance target based on air, argon or otherfill gas. Similarly, the solar heat gain coefficient window 65, alsoprovides secondary selection indicia, which may for example, list ashading coefficient, and accordingly permit selections to be made by auser based on this performance characteristic.

The system recognizes the performance values entered by the user andprocesses the target performance values to compare the targetperformance characteristics with the actual performance characteristicsshown in the actual performance window 60. Where one or more of thedesignated target performance values deviate when compared with theactual performance values (or a range of predetermined values), furtherinformation may be provided on the screen display 10. An instructionwindow 75 is shown in FIG. 7. The instruction window 75 presentsinformation based on an association between the comparison of targetperformance values designated and the actual performance values for aselected glass product. The instruction window 75 provides indicia tofacilitate arriving at a glass product which is more likely to beacceptable to a user based on the user's designated target performancevalues. The information window 75 provides a map graphic 76 tofacilitate the location on the display screen 10 corresponding toinstructive indicia, such as for example instructive text 77. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 7, the instruction window 75 has a title bar78 where the performance characteristic which is being addressed isidentified. In FIG. 7, the shading coefficient is identified, and theinstructive text 77 indicates that reflective glass type for theoutboard lite and Low-E glass type for the inboard lite of theinsulating glass product are more likely to approach the designatedperformance characteristics shown in the target performance window 61.

The selection of alternate glass component products with the presentsystem may be done without having to repeat prior selections which areto remain as part of a subsequent selection. For example, if the userwants to select a reflective glass for the outboard lite, the user maydo so, and the prior selections, such as for example, the selection ofinsulating glass as the glass fabrication type and the inboard liteglass selection may remain. The selection of an alternate outboard lite,for example, then provides updated actual performance characteristics inthe actual performance window 60.

A user may input desired properties for a glass product. This may bedone prior to selecting a glass product type or after the selection of aglass product type. For example, the target performance provides awindow where the user can select properties for a glass product. Thetarget performance window can be checked against the actual performancewindow so that a user may view both displays at the same time in orderto evaluate the glass product.

Information graphics preferably may be associated with one or more glassproperties or performance characteristics to facilitate the selection ofa glass product. For example, an information graphic 80 is illustratedin FIG. 8. The information graphic window 80 is associated withtransmittance performance for glass products and provides a graphicalrepresentation 81 of transmittance along with informative text 82 whichis provided in a text window 83. Preferably, an information graphicwindow may be associated with the performance characteristics, glasstypes, fabrication types as well as other information provided on thedisplay 10. An information graphic window, such as the informationgraphic window 80 illustrated in FIG. 8, is preferably activated when auser moves an input device to correspond with text or graphics on thedisplay relating to the performance characteristic, glass product orfabrication type, or other property appearing on the display. Theinformation graphic window can include a still graphic image, ananimation graphic, text or a combination of these, to provide furtherinformation corresponding with a display item or glass property.

Preferably, data is stored in the data storage device which includesglass properties, such as, for example, glass type, performancecharacteristics, and color. The glass properties may include spectraldata for a glass product or component: Each glass product and glasscomponent preferably has associated data. When the user makes aselection of a glass property, such as for example, Low-E, for amonolithic outboard lite, the software operates the processor to comparethe glass components or products which meet the selections, and thesoftware operates the processor to include one or more glass componentsor products meeting the selected characteristics. In this manner, as theuser makes selections with the present system, apparatus and method, thepotential available choices for glass products or components meeting theuser's desired target, based on the selection inputs, are narrowed.Preferably this is done with each selection, so that by the time theuser has made a final selection, the actual performance data can bereadily displayed in the actual performance window 60.

The system facilitates obtaining a glass specification, and utilizes theinformation and selections made by a user to arrive at a potentiallysuitable glass product. The product selections and actual performancedata is processed to produce a glass specification. The glassspecification can be transmitted to a location for arriving at an orderfor a glass product which meets the specification. The specification canbe printed or may be electronically transmitted. The glass product canbe purchased based on the user's selections, which form a glassspecification suitably adapted to the color and performancecharacteristics selected by the user.

It will be understood that default selections for fabrication type,glass type, and other selection options, may be provided so that a menuhas a selection, and the user may decide to accept or change the defaultselection.

Although various embodiments of the method and system of the presentinvention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

1. A method for purchasing a glass product, comprising the steps ofselecting a glass product and transacting value for the purchase of theglass product, wherein selecting the glass product comprises:identifying one or more properties of glass products; processing with acomputer an input of a characteristic property to determine one or moreglass products having the characteristic property; displaying a list ofglass products having the characteristic property; processing with thecomputer a selection of a glass product from the list of glass products;and displaying actual performance characteristics for the selected glassproduct.
 2. A method for purchasing a glass product, comprising thesteps of: (a) using a first computer capable of accessing a secondcomputer through a communication linkage to communicate with the secondcomputer; (b) inputting an instruction from a first computer to a secondcomputer to select one or more properties for a glass product; (c)processing the selection instruction to compare the data properties forglass products stored in glass products data base associated with theselection corresponding to the instruction; (d) identifying one or moreglass products with the associated selected property; (e) displaying alist of glass products having the associated selected property; (f)receiving a selection of a glass product from the list of glassproducts; and (g) responsive to the selection of the glass product,displaying actual performance characteristics for the selected glassproduct.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein after the selection of afirst property for a glass product, the identification of one or moreadditional properties compatible with the first selected property isdisplayed for selection.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step ofselecting one or more additional properties is repeated until no furtherselections are provided.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein any propertyselected for the selected glass product can be reinputted to provideinformation identifying one or more glass products which may bedifferent than the originally identified glass product.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising the step of purchasing the selected glassproduct.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein inputting an instruction froma first computer to a second computer to select one or more propertiesfor a glass product includes selecting one or more components for aglass product based on color and performance characteristics.
 8. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the inputted instruction includes selectingtarget performance characteristics for the glass product, wherein saidtarget performance characteristics are selected from the groupconsisting of: nominal thickness; visible reflectance; visibletransmittance; u-value; and shading coefficient.
 9. A method forpurchasing a glass product, comprising the steps of: (a) using a firstcomputer capable of accessing a second computer through a communicationlinkage to communicate with the second computer; (b) inputting aninstruction from a first computer to a second computer to select one ormore properties for a glass product; (c) processing the selectioninstruction to compare the data properties for glass products stored inglass products data base associated with the selection corresponding tothe instruction; (d) providing a list of glass products having the dataproperties associated with the selection corresponding with theinstruction; (e) receiving a selection of a glass product from the listof glass products; and (f) responsive to the selection of the glassproduct, displaying actual performance characteristics for the selectedglass product.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the inputtedinstruction includes selecting target performance characteristics forthe glass product, wherein said target performance characteristics areselected from the group consisting of: nominal thickness, visiblereflectance, visible transmittance, u-value, and shading coefficient.11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: wherein the inputtedinstruction includes selecting target performance characteristics forthe glass product; wherein said target performance characteristics areselected from the group consisting of: nominal thickness; visiblereflectance; visible transmittance; u-value; and shading coefficient;and wherein processing the selection instruction to compare the dataproperties for glass products stored in glass products data baseassociated with the selection corresponding to the instruction includesprocessing the selected target performance characteristics to comparethem to the actual performance characteristics for the glass product.12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request tochange the characteristic property; processing with a computer therequest to determine one or more glass products having the changedcharacteristic property; and displaying a list of glass products havingthe changed characteristic property.
 13. The method of claim 1, whereinafter the input of a characteristic property for a glass product, theidentification of one or more additional properties compatible with thecharacteristic property is displayed for selection.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the step of selecting one or more additionalproperties is repeated until no further selections are provided.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of purchasing theselected glass product.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one ormore properties includes color and performance characteristics.
 17. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: receiving a requestto change the selection instruction; processing the request to identifyone or more glass products having data properties associated with thechanged selection instruction; and displaying a list of glass productshaving the associated data properties.
 18. The method of claim 2,further comprising the step of purchasing the selected glass product.19. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving a request tochange the selection instruction; processing the request to identify oneor more glass products having data properties associated with thechanged selection instruction; and displaying a list of glass productshaving the associated data properties.
 20. The method of claim 9,further comprising the step of purchasing the selected glass product.